Eastwood to Thornleigh

This walk explores Terrys Creek and the Lane Cove National Park. From Eastwood station the track follows Terrys creek past a small waterfall, under the M2, past Browns Water hole and along the Lane Cove river before climbing up to Thornleigh Oval and the train station. There are picnic tables at Browns waterhole, not a bad place for lunch, otherwise there are a few nice creek banks to rest along the way

(0km) Eastwood Railway Station → Forrester Park

1.3 km

23 mins

20m

-28m

Easy track

From the east side of Eastwood Railway Station, this walk heads east along Ethel Street and left into Blaxland Road. At the traffic lights at Balaclava Road, this walk turns right then immediately left Vimiera Road. As Vimiera Rd bends to the right (about 100m past Vanimo Place), this walk turns left onto a bridge, crossing Terry’s Creek. This takes the walk onto a corner of Davis Avenue. The walk turns right and heads north-west along Davis Avenue, soon coming to Forrester Park.

Moderate track

Veer right: From the back of Forrester park the track follows the Terrys creek walking track sign along the bushtrack that winds through the bush and down through the valley, crossing a small bridge creek and continuing through for a while until it comes to a wooden platform where it heads down the wooden steps and along the bushtrack heading down stream along Terrys creek all the way to the top of the waterfall.Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack down stream past the short rock wall and up a small rocky hill, through a few grass trees and down the other side coming to the un signposted intersection of the waterfall loop track.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down towards the creek, winding around and down some rock steps to the intersection of the Terrys creek waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Terrys Creek Waterfall

This is a small waterfall on Terrys Creek, and makes a good spot to break from the walk.

(1.98km) Int of Eastwood station and waterfall loop tracks → Int of Eastwood station and Dence park tracks

240 m

5 mins

7m

-6m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading north east along the side of the valley for a short distance, turning back down towards the creek and winding through bracken ferns to the intersection of the Dense park track.Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down stream and along side Terrys creek, winding through the bush and through a thick patch of bamboo, coming out the other side and along the creek for a short while to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole and Dence park tracks.

(2.21km) Int of Eastwood station and Dence park tracks → Int of Eastwood station and Pembroke park tracks

20 m

1 mins

0m

-3m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down across the creek and up the other side to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole and Pembroke Park tracks.

(2.24km) Int of Eastwood station and Pembroke park tracks → Int of Eastwood Station and Rest area tracks

720 m

13 mins

7m

-15m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow north along the bushtrack following the creek for a short while until it crosses to the other side and continues up the hill passing the number 11 signpost as it winds up and along the side of the valley for a short while, following the bushtrack as it turns back down the valley and along side the creek, passing a sewage access point and coming to a creek crossing at a thin wooden bridge. From here the track continues up the other side and along the bushtrack coming down to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading north along the right hand side of the creek, passing the number 12 signpost and a sewage access point as it heads through the bush to the intersection of the rest area and Terrys creek steps.

(2.96km) Int of Eastwood Station and Rest area tracks → Int of Eastwood Station and Epping road track

110 m

2 mins

0m

-1m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track heads down the steps to the intersection of the Pembroke Street path at the bottom.Veer right: From the intersection the track heads under the Epping road bridge on the right side of the creek and onto the bushtrack which winds up the gentle hill to the intersection of the Epping Road bushtrack.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow down the short hill passing a sewage access point and signpost 15, continuing along side the creek to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bush track north east along the bushtrack winding along the creek and down across a wooden bridge continuing up and along through the bush to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.Veer right: From the intersection the track heads north down the short hill and past a sewage access point, winding along the creek to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack north passing a sewage access point and continuing through the bush as the track winds along the right hand side of the creek, passing 2 more sewage access points along the track before coming to the signposted intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.

(3.7km) Signpost 16 int → Signpost 18 int

210 m

4 mins

10m

0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track heads east down the gentle hill and around a sewage access point, continuing up the other side for a short while to the signposted intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow through the bush, winding all the way through the bush as it winds around to a rock platform with views of the M2 motorway bridge and continues through the bush for a short while to the signposted intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down and across the creek and up the other side coming to the signposted intersection of the Crimea road and Browns Waterhole tracksTurn left: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow north along the bushtrack crossing underneath the M2 moter way and continuing along, down some steps and through to the intersection of a bushtrack winding down across the creek.Continue straight: From the intersection the track heads north east away from the M2 overpass, following the bushtrack through the valley as it winds down some wooden steps and joins onto a metal walkway which continues through dense bushland until joining back onto a dirt track and continues all the way along to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.

Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete management trail down the gentle hill to the picnic tables and clearing signposted as ‘Browns Waterhole’.

Browns Waterhole

Browns Waterhole is a wide, shallow section of the Lane Cove River, downstream of a concrete weir[1]. There is a concrete shared cycle/footpath crossing over the top of the weir, linking Kissing Point Road, South Turramurra to Vimiera Rd, Macquarie Park. On the western side of the waterhole, there is a picnic table[2] and small clearing with a view over this section of the river.

(4.97km) Browns Waterhole → Browns Waterhole int

90 m

2 mins

1m

-5m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Browns Waterhole picnic area, this walk follows the management trail down to the causeway and across Browns Waterhole (caution is needed during and after rain, may become impassable). Immediately after the river, the walk comes to an intersection with the Great North Walk trail.

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[3] along the dirt management trail, keeping the Lane Cove River to your left. After about 80m, the trail leads under some high tension power lines[4], where there is a mostly clear view over the river[5] (to your left). The trail then gently leads down through the valley[6] for about 400m to come to an intersection with Cove St trail, marked with a GNW arrow post[7].Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[8] downhill along the management trail for about 30m to cross a small culverted creek[9]. The walk then follows the trail up the short hill to come to an intersection with the signposted ‘STEP track’[10][11] (on your right).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[12] and STEP Track markers[13] along the management trail, whilst keeping the river to your left. The trail undulates through the valley (weedy in places[14]) and tall forest[15] for just shy of 600m, to come to a clear intersection at the bottom of a sealed management trail[16] (on your right). This intersection is marked with another ‘STEP Track’ map/sign[17] and a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[18].Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign gently downhill along the management trail, directly away from the face of the ‘STEP Track’ map/sign[19]. Keeping the river to your left, the trail leads downhill for about 80m to come to a Y-intersection[20], where there is a ‘Lane Cove Valley’ map/sign[21] and a ‘Lane Cove River Park’ sign[22] pointing back along the trail.Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign[23] past the ‘Lane Cove Valley’ map, initially keeping the other trail and river to your left. The trail follows the valley floor, keeping the river just to your left, for a bit over 500m, to then cross the Lane Cove River at a rocky ford[24]. This crossing may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. On the other side of the river, this walk continues along the trail[25] for about 400m (with the river now close by on your right) to come to an intersection with a faint track[26] (on your left, that leads up towards Pennant Hills Park).Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, keeping the river just to your right. After about 60m, the trail bends right and crosses the Lane Cove River at a rocky ford[27], then continues along the valley floor among the fern trees (and concrete pipe access points[28]) for about 900m to cross the Lane Cove River again at another rocky ford[29]. (These crossings may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain). The trail then continues along the valley floor[30] (with the river now on your left) for just over 150m to come to an intersection at the bottom of the sealed Morona Ave trail[31] (on your right), marked with a ‘Lane Cove Valley’ map/sign[32] and a GNW arrow post[33].

(8.41km) Int of the GNW and the Morona Ave trail → Conscript Pass

330 m

8 mins

24m

-8m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post along the valley floor, away from the two trails, keeping the river just to your left. The track soon narrows, leading past a water depth indicator[34], and becomes rocky for about 150m before coming to a faint intersection, where GNW arrow post points left[35]. Here, the walk turns left and crosses the Lane Cove River using the concrete stepping stones[36] (this crossing may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain) to follow the ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign[37] up the timber steps for about 40m and find a GNW registration box[38] (damaged at time of writing). The track bends sharply right[39] and zigzags up the rocky hill for another 30m, before bending sharply left to find the ‘Conscript Pass’ and ‘B Stevens’[40][41] engravings (at the third metal hand rail).

Conscript Pass

Conscript Pass is a small sandstone pass between the Lane Cove River and Thornleigh, on the Great North Walk. During the 1930s, some stone steps were built through a cleft in the rock[42] as part of a public works program, in response to the depression. The pass has two main engravings. Firstly ‘Conscript Pass’ is followed with a downwards pointing arrow[43] and a series of initials and numbers. On another wall (that you face when walking up) is engraved ‘B Stevens’ followed a surprisingly good caricature[44][45] of the then Premier of NSW, Bertram Stevens. Stevens (later knighted) replaced Jack Lang in 1932 as Premier of NSW, when Lang was dismissed by the Governor (just two months Lang after opening the Sydney Harbour Bridge).

(8.74km) Conscript Pass → Int of the GNW and Lorna Pass tracks

100 m

3 mins

19m

0m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From ‘Conscript Pass’, this walk heads up the stone steps through the cleft in the rock[48] to follow the track and more stone steps uphill for about 100m, coming to a T-intersection with Lorna Pass track, marked with a GNW arrow post[49].

(8.84km) Int of the GNW and Lorna Pass tracks → Int of Handley and Ferguson Avenues

580 m

14 mins

50m

0m

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Thornleigh’ sign[50] uphill along the rocky track, keeping the valley to your left. The track leads up a series of timber steps[51] for about 230m, becoming steeper as they go[52], to come to a clear T-intersection signposted with a large ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[53], and a stone ‘Lorna Pass’ arrow[54] pointing back down the track.Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign[55] uphill along the wide rocky track[56]. After just over 150m, the track bends left (ignoring a faint track on your right[57]) and heads uphill for another 40m to come to the back (south-east corner) of Thornleigh Oval[58], marked with a ‘Lane Cove National Park’ signpost[59].Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post along the fence line around the oval, keeping the oval to your left. After about 100m, this walk passes in front of the clubhouse[60] (there are toilets[61] and a water tap[62] on your right) to pass a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[63] and come to the corner of ‘Handley’ and ‘Ferguson’ Avenues[64] in front of the ‘Thornleigh Oval’ sign[65].

Thornleigh Oval

Thornleigh Oval is found at the intersection of Handley and Ferguson Avenues, Thornleigh. There is a large playing field[66], tap water[67], public toilets[68][69] and some shelter in the awning of the club house[70]. The oval has a car park, and a number io signs for the Great North walk[71] and other local tracks[72].

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign across the road to follow the footpath beside ‘Handley Ave’. After about 130m, the walk crosses Clifford Ave[73] then after about 250m, crosses ‘Orchard St’ to follow ‘Station St’ almost directly ahead[74]. About 190m along ‘Station St’, this walk continues straight across ‘Wood St’[75] (you can get to Parkway Plaza if you turn right here) and continues for just over 200m to find a footbridge[76] beside Pennant Hills Rd. Here the walk heads up the ramp and crosses over the busy road[77] then down the ramp (or steps) to find the intersection with Railway Parade[78].Veer left: From the base of the steps, this walk follows the GNW arrow across ‘Railway Pde’[79], heading towards the train line. At the fence, this walk veers left and leads along the pedestrian alley[80] for about 60m before turning right and climbing up the railway bridge steps[81], coming to the ‘Thornleigh’ Train Station[82].

Maps for the Eastwood to Thornleigh walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Eastwood to Thornleigh bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Eastwood to Thornleigh

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

10.3 km

Time

3 hrs 45 mins

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.1km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 630m has short steep hills and the remaining 230m is very steep.

Quality of track

4.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (2.3km) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 2.5km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.6km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 8km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 2.5km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 4.9km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Eastwood to Thornleigh walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-ett
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-ett
Forecast snapshot